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Topic: Copy Ring or Guide Bushing (Read 1520 times)

Is there a difference (and if so, what is it) between a copy ring and a guide bushing?

I was wasting time...errrr...researching on Instragam and discovered the DominoFix dog hole drilling system.

I only have Dewalt routers (or, rather, I haven't moved up to Festool routers yet), so I asked if it would work with the Dewalt and the answer is that it would, but I would neeed a 30mm copy ring.

So I followed SOP and spent the next 6 hours researching copy rings (because I don't know what they are) and couldn't find a reference for using copy rings with a Dewalt router.

In the process I see lots of copy ring references for use with Festool routers, and lots of guide bushing references in general.

So, can anyone fill me in the differences between copy rings and guide bushings and how I can use a Dewalt router with the DominoFix template-system?

Thank you,

Joseph

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Here are the links to that products instructions. You will need the 30 mm guide bushing / copy ring. For your router you will probably have a universal plate that will accept "Universal" bushings. The biggest obstacle may be making sure that your 20 mm router bit is centered in the guide bushing. You will need to find a centering mandrel that fits a collet you have for your router.

@josephny in general those two things do the same thing. Guide bushings usu refer to the Porter cable style where the copy ring part is retained by a threaded ring. Most routers Have an accommodation for these. Copy rings sometimes refer to the routers that use some other form of attachment to get the ring fastened to the router.

I’m not familiar with the system you referenced but most of the time the bushing or guide in those are used to accurately place the router in a jig. If that is how it works it would use the outside diameter to fit. 30mm should be the same on either.

I only have Dewalt routers (or, rather, I haven't moved up to Festool routers yet),

Meh, I had a DeWalt DW613 router, then got a used Festool OF1010, compared both, and kept the DeWalt and sold off the Festool. The Festool was 12 years younger than my DeWalt but was a squeeky rustbucket. My DW is still pristine today, 20 years old.

I actually prefer my Dewalt router when it comes to guide bushing work because the base can easily be centered to the router bit. My Festool OF1010 has almost no adjustability and cannot be centered perfectly without modifying the holes, which i dont want to do.

They also make a baseplate for the DeWalt routers - at twice the cost, which doesn't make sense since there's obviously less work due to less machining of the holes. Both though come with the centering bushing and mandrel.

Just for future thought. The 1400 and it’s copy rings is a very bulletproof option. Not trying to get you to part with your money right now but I use my rings and my MFS setup all the time. Below are a few shots of some dadoes I put in a countertop yesterday. I will have the full project up soon, but the copy rings are great for pattern work.

Cheers. Bryan.

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People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?